conspire
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /kənˈspaɪə/
KK: /kənˈspaɪər/
intransitive verb
Definition
To secretly plan with others to do something illegal or wrong.
Example
They conspired to commit the robbery without anyone knowing.
Tense Forms
Past: conspired
Past Participle: conspired
Conversation
Did you hear that some students might conspire to change the rules of the game?
Really? That sounds a bit sneaky.
Yeah, I hope they don't actually go through with it.
Me too! It would ruin the whole spirit of the competition.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
collude
plot
scheme
Antonyms
disagree
dissent
oppose
transitive verb
Definition
To secretly plan or plot something, often with others, usually for a harmful or illegal purpose.
Example
They conspired to take control of the company.
Tense Forms
Past: conspired
Past Participle: conspired
Conversation
Did you hear that they might conspire to change the event location?
Really? I thought everything was set in stone already.
Yeah, I overheard them talking about it last night.
Root Explanation
Conspire is formed from "con-" (meaning together) and "spirare" (meaning to breathe). The word originally described people breathing together, which evolved to mean plotting or scheming together.
Memory Tip
Think of people 'breathing together' ('con-' means together and 'spirare' means to breathe) — that's how you remember that to conspire means to plot together.
Visually Confused Words
coinspire
unconspired
preconspire
cotranspire
acrospire
inspire